Issue 44(1) of the journal Cicindela is now hitting mailboxes. This one-paper issue features an article by Chandima D. Dangalle and Nirmalie Pallewatta (University of Colombo, Sri Lanka) and Alfred P. Vogler (The Natural History Museum, London) reporting the results of a survey of tiger beetles of Sri Lanka and analysis of their habitat specificity. The authors sampled 94 locations on the island representing six habitat types: coastal and beach habitat, river and stream banks, reservoir systems, urban man-made sites, agri-ecosystems and marshy areas, finding ten species in the genera Cylindera, Calomera, Hypaetha, Lophyra and Myriochile at 37 locations representing all habitat types except the last two. The study further revealed that the species of tiger beetles were restricted to different habitat types, with most displaying a high degree of habitat specificity. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences between two or more species in four factors: solar radiation (i.e., sun or shade), soil salinity, soil moisture and wind speed. This suggests that these are the key factors involved in habitat selectivity in Sri Lankan tiger beetle species. Other factors such as temperature, relative humidity, soil type and soil color did not differ significantly between habitats for the different species, suggesting that these criteria are essential for tiger beetle survival in any habitat type.
You may also notice that my photo of Cicindela arenicola, taken last fall in Idaho Falls, graces the cover of this latest issue. Contact Managing Editor Ron Huber to begin your subscription—membership is a very nominal $10 per year in the U.S., a little more elsewhere to cover additional postage.
REFERENCE:
Dangalle, C. D., N. Pallewatta & A. P. Vogler. 2012. Habitat specificity of tiger beetle species (Coleoptera, Cicindelidae) of Sri Lanka. Cicindela 44(1):1–32.
Beetles In The Bush 
What strange creature! I had never seen one! … is funny! ^ congratulations on your work!!
Thank you Giardinoblu. I love the jaws on these beetles!
Oh yes! probably they works better than the gardener’s shears!
Congratulations on having your Cicindela photo published.
Thanks Phil!
Hi Ted. I have been following your blog for several months. I’m just a person who finds insects fascinating (as well as all nature). I started collecting insects when I was about 8 years old. In Middle School I read and took notes on every book in our library that was about insects! I took an Entomology class in college which I enjoyed very much. I enjoy sharing my college insect collection with cub scouts and elementary school children when I get the opportunity. I enjoy all your photos of beetles and especially this one on the magazine cover. I was delighted to see that the photo was taken in Idaho Falls where I currently live. When I showed the photo to my son, he said, “That just goes to show that you can find interesting things anywhere!”
Hi Peggy. Thanks for reading and especially for commenting. Your son is right (although I had to travel some distance to find that species).
Anyone know where can I find PDF copies of two notes I published in Cincindela eons ago?
Miller, B. W. 1970. Megacephala carolina L. in Nevada. Cincindela. 2: 28.
Miller, B. W. 1971. Additional notes on Megacephala carolina in Nevada. Cincindela. 3: 60.
Hi Bruce — the journal has not been digitized, but if you give me a week or so I’ll try to scan some copies for you.
Tnx Ted appreciate it. After living and working in Central America for the past 26 yrs I am now back in the U.S. and will renew my coleopterist interests, although still doing bats.